Black Marlin Energy:
Rifting in East Africa
Hydrocarbon Exploration
We believe that much of the hydrocarbon exploration in East Africa has been sub-optimal, due in part to doubts about the veracity and location of the sparsely available 30 year old data and in part on the prevalence of overbalanced drilling. In most parts of the world no exploration drilling is done without 3D seismic surveys, but in East Africa very few 3D surveys have been performed.
The opening of the Indian Ocean and the associated rifting in Gondwana led to the development of deep narrow basins both on- and offshore and to the development of prolific source systems.
Why East Africa?
Black Marlin's recent proprietary geochemical work through East Africa confirms the presence of a large-scale Lower Mesozoic source rock contributing to oil and gas shows, seeps and tar balls from the Durban Basin to Seychelles. In addition, there is a growing understanding of the hydrocarbon potential of the rift margins of East Africa as discoveries are reported in Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar (where the giant Bemolanga and Tsimiroro accumulations are estimated to contain some 24bn bbls OIIP), Tanzania, Somalia and Uganda (where some 1 billion barrels of oil have been reported in the Albertine Graben). Black Marlin currently has assets in Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar and Seychelles.
Significant hydrocarbon shows and seeps in East Africa
There is an urgent need for indigenous hydrocarbons in East Africa. Governments are actively encouraging exploration activity to reduce their dependency on imported hydrocarbons and improve their foreign exchange positions. These Governments want exploration companies who do not just sit on their acreage positions but actively explore for oil and gas. In parallel, significant investment-fuelled infrastructure is emerging or is already in place, creating the world's largest remaining highly prospective region.
East African hydrocarbon seep